Every day, workers in New Jersey perform jobs that require eye protection. When eye protection is not worn or not made available by employers, workers are at risk for serious eye injuries.
Eye injuries are totally preventable
According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data, there are around 20,000 workplace eye injuries every year. Most of them would have been totally preventable with the appropriate personal protective equipment. The type of eye protection that you need for your specific job depends on your work environment. Some examples of workplace eye protection include:
- Blue light blocking glasses
- Safety glasses with side shields
- Goggles
- Face shields
- Full face helmets
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has rules about the type of eye protection that is required for certain fields. Your employer should supply you with OSHA-compliant eye protection when it is required.
Eye injuries are expensive
Eye injuries often result in missed days of work, and in some cases, expensive medical treatments. In the worst-case scenarios, workers can suffer from life altering eye injuries that totally disrupt their careers. According to OSHA, the annual cost of medical treatments, lost productivity and workers’ compensation payments for workplace eye injuries is $300 million.
Everyone should take eye injuries seriously
People who do work around flying objects, debris, dust or hazardous chemicals should always use appropriate eye protection. However, eye injuries can still occur even if you don’t work in a field with a lot of hazards. Any eye injury, no matter how small, should be addressed immediately. Delayed treatment for a minor eye injury could cause it to become serious.